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The Flamingos of Nigeria have qualified for the semi-final of the 2026 Women’s U-17 World Cup.

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Azeezat Oduntan’s late penalty was the decisive strike as the Akeem Busari-led team defeated Venezuela 1-0 in Sale, Morocco, on Sunday.

Nigeria will be playing the competition’s semi-final for the second time ever. The previous time the Flamingos progressed this far, they won bronze in 2022.

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The team’s free-scoring style was stunted for almost the entire game by the Venezuelan side, who had stunned Germany in the second round.

Flamingos had to wait until late for a breakthrough, and it came from the spot. Oluebube Umejiaku was brought down in the Venezuelan box by Migleydys Bolsegui and penalty was awarded in the 89th minute.

Nigeria’s captain Odunayo took the responsibility, expertly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and led the team into the final four of the competition.

The Flamigos will face Brazil, who also needed a late goal to defeat China, in the semi-final on Wednesday. The winners will face either Japan or North Korea in the final next Saturday.

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